Recently, I read this article on Facebook. The article was written in response to a viral photo, which you can read about here. The viral photo shows a mother openly breastfeeding her child. A lot of people had a lot of opinions about it, and a lot of people had opinions about the article written about it, including me.
Please, don't be shamed into not breastfeeding in public.
The author of this article talks about how she doesn't "want to see it." And you know what I have to say about that?
Tough shit, hun.
The author talks about the fact that there are covers to keep breastfeeding private, only shortly after saying how she understands that breastfeeding is natural. If breastfeeding is natural, why in the world should it be covered? She also says these should be used if "you can't go somewhere private." Once again, why does breastfeeding have to be private? Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing. Besides, when you eat, does anyone tell you to take your plate to the bathroom and eat? No? What about putting a blanket over your head? No? Then why in the world do we ask that we do that to babies when they are at such a vulnerable age and in need of exposure to people? Why are we so ashamed and scared to see a baby eat?
The author then talks about this mother should have "had some manners in public" and pumped a bottle for her baby. This suggestion itself is rude. Why should a mother have to give up the right to bond with her baby through breastfeeding for your sake? Because babies and mothers bond during breastfeeding. The skin to skin contact forms an unspeakable bond between mother and child. So why in the world should this woman lose out on an opportunity to bond with her child to make you more comfortable? I hate to break it to you, but the world does not exist to make you feel more comfortable. Nor does this mother breastfeed her child to displease you.
The author then proceeds to go on and compare breastfeeding to pooping, as well as sex. First of all, sex is not necessary for survival. But you know what is? BREASTFEEDING. Babies have to eat to live. You don't need sex to live.
The author then states she is not upset about seeing boobs because they are sexual, but because they are boobs, and she calls boobs "a private body part."
I'm sorry... what?
The only reason you even believe they are a private body part is because society has sexualized them as long as we have been alive. There are places all around the world where nudity is widely accepted. Why? Because their societies aren't sexualizing body parts. The only reason you don't want to see a strangers boobs is because you were raised that boobs are bad and private, even though there is nothing sexual, private, or bad about boobs. If they are so meant to be private, why are they literally made to share with a child?
The author closes the article with this statement:
"You should NEVER be shamed for breastfeeding, but there's no reason you cant breastfeed in public while still having manners and consideration for the people around you. "
So she concludes by saying women shouldn't be shamed for breastfeeding in public, after spending her whole article telling women they shouldn't breastfeed in public, and telling them if they are doing it, they should do it in a way that makes her feel better. This author will never convince me she is for public breastfeeding because her whole article proved the opposite.
To the author of this article, Anna: mind your own breasts, mind your own body, and please stop shaming women for being mothers, and feeding their babies the way they want to and can. The way a mother feeds her child is none of your business. You made it your business, and it should never have been.
To the breastfeeding moms: feed your babies. Feed them however you want to. You are not required to hide your child's face while he or she eats. You are not required to lock yourself in a bathroom while you feed your child just to please others. You are doing what you need to do to feed your child. Keep doing it. There are thousands of people out there who, like me, will publicly defend you if somebody bothers you. So please, don't stop breastfeeding in public if it is what you want to do, or need to do.
